Words by Marisa Whitaker & Willa Rudolph
Howdy, The Deli readers!
We’d be shocked if you haven’t heard about it already (and if you haven’t, you must be living under a roc) [editor’s note: The Deli welcomes under-rock dwellers] but either way we are SO excited for our upcoming THE DELI DELIVERS: MAGAZINE FAIR 2025 at Baby’s All Right on 4/20!
That’s right, it all goes down THIS SUNDAY: 4/20, Easter Sunday, and of course the Mag Fair alongside 7-plus hours of live bands and DJ’s all wrapped into one event with doors opening at 2:30pm (or 2:40?) and music starting at 3pm–oh my! So much to celebrate…
The idea to host and put together a magazine fair came to be during a conversation about a plight most music journalists and magazines face on a regular basis–a lack of cash. [editor’s note: all you under-rock dwellers identify too, ammirite?]
Music journalism, since its inception over a century ago, has long served as a platform for amplifying music, artists, venues, labels, and more. Various music journalists and magazines over the years have bolstered the careers of many music greats, and continue to do so today. But it’s also notoriously known as a niche industry with scant funding, with music journalists over its history pursuing this line of work out of the love and passion in their hearts for music more than for a paycheck.
[editor’s note: good to know we’re part of a long honorable tradition in not paying our writers, plus it’s good for ’em to stay hungry we figure!]
Some have even claimed that music journalism is all but dead today, with nothing but PR hackery (all due respect to our good friends in public relations! send us free stuff!) and AI-generated pseudo-content left to fill the void but we beg to differ (strongly!) cuz for one thing with the post-Covid renaissance of the local NYC music scene and its countless incredible artists, musicians, DJs, producers, and yes, bands just waiting to be “discovered,” there’s been a parallel resurgence of largely under-the-radar music journalism bubbling up of late as tons of zines, blogs, Substacks, and print mags have been created, recreated, and/or revived.
Which is exactly why, alongside it being The Deli Mag’s 20th Anniversary (!!!!!!!), we’ve put together a huge event to give back to and uplift 14 !! local !! music !! magazines !! Plus, to add to the 4/20 fun, we’ve got a wide-ranging lineup of 8 local NYC bands and 8 DJs to provide the vibes and showcase some of NYC’s best artists out there, making moves today.
[editor’s note: if you add 4 + 20 that equals 24, obviously, and if you add 14 magazines plus one for the Deli plus one for Baby’s All Right plus 8 bands plus 8 DJs that also equals 24 (!) and what’s more “24” is a number that’s said to symbolize completeness, wholeness, and Divine Authority so put that in your spliff and smoke it!]
For all these reasons and more, one can rest assured this ALL-DAY EVENT (going strong from 2:30 to 10:30 p.m.) will be the music event of the spring, and we’re calling any and all music heads to come and have a chance to meet/talk to representatives of each magazine, learn more about the mags and the people behind them, and DONATE funds directly to them.
[Editor’s note: Or hell, DON’T DONATE, but come on out anyway just to meet to some cool peeps, see some cool bands and learn about some cool mags and all for the low low price of $23.17 (which rounds up to 24! advance tix here!) which is more than reasonable we feel for a full day’s worth of entertainment (including the equivalent of *two* typical live club shows) and we’ll be perfectly happy to take all the rest of your money at a later date (!) but hey throw those other mags a few bucks if you can]
Your support will not only allow the magazines to become bigger and better, but will also give back to the people who work & write & document the amazing music worlds all around us. Sure, sometimes it’s a thankless job…but without these music journos, would you even know about some of your favorite local artists?
Not to mention having some insightful writings, exquisite photos and other cool stuff to look back on later [Editor’s note: versus a big dog-pile of expired IG stories] and to show your grandkids how cool you were “back in the day” [Editor’s note: otherwise they’ll know you mostly for dropping your dentures in the toilet] cuz capturing culture as it happens has always been cool and important, and us humble journalists are doing our best to provide meaningful, authentic journalism–not only for ourselves but for musicians, artists, and fans alike.
(Flyer by Lola Lancón)
With all this mind, we asked our other participants–magazines, bands, and DJ’s alike–why music journalism is important to them and what magazines are their faves!! You can check out their responses below:
BLUE HOUR PRESS / magazine
Blue Hour Press is an artist-run publication rooted in New York’s independent music and culture scenes. We make zines, books, and digital content that highlight emerging voices and the spaces they move through—always with a focus on honesty, texture, and community. Think of us as part archive, part love letter.
Why is music journalism important?
BHP: Music journalism matters because it gives space to the kind of artists we care about—the ones doing it for the right reasons, the ones building something from the ground up without waiting for permission. It documents the moments that would otherwise get lost: a debut set in a sweaty Brooklyn basement, a self-released EP that hits harder than anything on the radio, a scene forming quietly between friends who believe in each other’s work. It’s not just about reviewing records—it’s about capturing the energy around a movement as it’s unfolding. The feeling in the room. The risk in the writing. The story behind the sound. Music journalism reminds people that those moments are worth remembering. It champions the artists who aren’t chasing clout but are still shifting culture. For us, it’s about keeping that energy alive—archiving the now, giving voice to what’s happening just outside the spotlight, and offering a platform for people making something real.
What is your favorite local music mag?
BHP: My favorite right now is probably Disaster Mag! I love how casual and authentic the things they publish are and how they allow artists and writers to collaborate in the ways that they choose. It ends up coming across as extremely raw and authentic. It feels less like content and more like community—like you’re flipping through a conversation between friends instead of reading something polished for clicks. There’s a looseness to it that’s rare in music writing, and that looseness makes space for real voices, real scenes, and real emotion. It reminds me why local media still matters, and how powerful it can be when it’s rooted in the people actually living it.
CYNOSURE / magazine
Nicole L. Galinson: “Music journalism is having a particularly excellent renaissance in New York City, especially print. We are so lucky to convene with our community in person to celebrate the musicians, magazines, and editors behind this incredible resurgence of print journalism. I feel doubly honored to be participating in the festivities as both editor-in-chief of CYNOSURE magazine, as well as front-woman of LYNSEY(the band). What a time to be alive!!!”
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CONCERT CHRONICLES / magazine
The Concert Chronicles is a symphony of voices–a 360° multimedia journal weaving together the rhythm of global stages and the intimacy of local sound. Born online and celebrated in person annually during Summer Scream Festival, it stretches across continents, with loud echoes from across the world. With a steady stream of curious souls tuning in, we chronicle artists of every genre, every background, every heartbeat–each story a verse in the ever-expanding song of culture.
Why is music journalism important?
CC: Music journalism is the bridge between sound and story–it preserves the pulse of culture, amplifies voices often overlooked, and transforms fleeting moments into enduring narratives. It doesn’t just document music; it contextualizes it, celebrates it, and holds it accountable, ensuring that the artistry, the struggle, and the soul behind each note are never lost in silence.
What is your favorite local music mag?
CC: Fanaticus Magazine–a close friend of mine owns this publication and I love their branding. The publication is entirely centered around fans, honing in on their experience as it relates to music. I love the monthly “small artist spotlight” they do on social media especially.
NOURISH / magazine
nourish is published by Keep Good Company Records. We kept using the word to describe our first artist Ginger Winn’s music and our mission is to make sounds you can see. The zine creates a tangible companion to our music and offers a spotlight for collaborators who use music to inspire their mission and/or artwork starting with our partners in nourish: Rewind Kingston, a vintage store and mental health refuge in Kingston, NY, and Reminders to My Future Self, a multimedia expression by artist and our Director of Creative Strategies Karlie Flood.
Why is music journalism important?
nourish: Music journalism has the ability to tell artist stories and spotlight the creative process in a way that engages fans beyond the songs and beyond bite sized social media clips.
What is your favorite local music mag?
nourish: Our favorite local music mag is Cynosure. It is fresh, inventive, daring, and dedicated to true curation of artists they believe deserve a spotlight not just because of metrics but because of the creation itself.
ANTICS / magazine
ANTICS is a quarterly, independently-run print music magazine based in New York City, made for Gen Z readers who want to be ahead of the trends. Focused on introducing emerging artists and giving fresh takes on familiar music, each issue features interviews, essays, reviews, and more—no regurgitated press releases, no BS.
Why is music journalism important?
ANTICS: I’ve been thinking about this question since launching ANTICS, since many erroneously believe that music journalism is on its way out. What I’ve realized in this process is that music journalism is the purest form of finding out about new music in a consumer-driven culture. Sure, you can have Spotify feed you music through algorithms or find out about a band through TikTok, but music journalism tells you why it’s worth checking something out. It invites you to not only widen your interests but also know who you’re listening to—revealing their values and their story. It also helps create a wider sense of community, whether it’s by supporting local acts or inspiring you to start a band with your friends.
What is your favorite local music mag?
ANTICS: The Deli Mag is iconic and I love that 20+ years later it’s still thriving and helping readers keep up with the best of NYC’s music scene. I’m also a big fan of Gunk. It’s such a joy to read, the design is so cool, and it’s free!
HIPSY GAP / band
Why is music journalism important?
HG: For starters, music journalism pin points those of us who want to take the love for their favorite band just a little bit further. Music journalism gives us all a look into the tiny worlds that exist in the mind of each artist. Creativity is extremely complicated and it benefits the art when it’s explained. Music journalists give artists the platform to dispel their deepest secrets and if I’m being honest, it keeps me humble to know I’m not the only one who enjoys talking about my creative process. Music journalism hugely contributes to the community of musicians that I’ve found myself in. I am hugely inspired by my friends. They’re all so insanely talented and I too want to hear what they have to say about their creative process because it lends itself to my own. The artists trying to make something of themselves in the NYC music sphere right now have a very similar lived experience to me and it’s special to get to hear about it in an interview with journalists who truly care about what we have to say.
What is your favorite local music mag?
HG: Let me start off by saying major magazines don’t have the same humility and flare that these local ones do. That’s what makes this event so special to begin with. But if you’re asking me what my favorite local mag is right now, I am going to have to say The Deli Mag. Willa Rudolph from The Deli wrote an amazing article about our March 2024 release “Shellshocked” and almost a year later my friend and Deli editor Marisa Whitaker is asking us to play this sick magazine fair at Baby’s All Right. It’s been a personal goal of mine to play Baby’s All Right since I moved to the city years ago and Hipsy Gap is extremely lucky to have been on The Deli’s radar. Everyone just wants to be a part of something and local magazines like The Deli are an extension of the beautifully thriving and rapidly growing music community in New York City.
RAMBLER / magazine
Rambler Magazine is a reason to put your phone down. We operate a primarily offline creative ecosystem that produces and supports interdisciplinary events and print-only projects in Southern California, New York, London, and beyond. We are an international network of friends, lovers, and collaborators committed to prioritizing physical media and irl connections.
Why is music journalism important?
RAMBLER: In a world designed to distract us, now more than ever we need reasons to become fully immersed in something — music journalism pulls us that much further into the elusive realm of human sounds, with more answers, questions, and perspectives. It is the architecture behind any music scene. It pulls us out of our apartments to go see shows and helps us find them. It excites or betrays us. It is an integral part of the system that connects local, emerging, and established musicians with an engaged and informed audience.
What is your favorite local music mag?
RAMBLER: Phase Zero! They throw cool release shows and publish an incredible multimedia print zine.
ALT CITIZEN / magazine
Alt Citizen is a music blog, zine, and promoter established in 2010. We’ve been committed to covering the underground music scene in NYC and beyond. Our archive goes deep.
Why is music journalism important?
AC: Musicians are so special. They deliver songs that soundtrack our lives. They need all the support they can get. Music journalism allows you to take a closer look at the person and story from which these songs come from.
What is your favorite local music mag?
AC: ALT CITIZEN – been consistent for 15 years what (!)
47MAGAZINE / magazine
At 47Magazine and Media, we strive to create a dynamic and inclusive platform that celebrates and amplifies the voices and perspectives of the next generation. Through our coverage of fashion, music, entertainment, and art through photography and journalism, we aim to inspire and inform our readers while fostering community and connection.
Why is music journalism important?
47: Music journalism amplifies rising artists that may be underrepresented allowing them to uplift new voices and sounds all while helping them reach a broader audience, making music more accessible. It allows us to document a history that occurs in local scenes that helps persevere a time for what is to come / could come. Lastly, it allows music to be understood and seen through someone else’s perspectives allowing readers to engage in new material all while building a community amongst fans and listeners.
What is your favorite local music mag?
47: My favorite local music magazines are Alt Citizen, The Deli Magazine, Blue Hour Press, Off The Record, and Digging Deep.
LE BANG / band
Why is music journalism important?
LB: Music journalism is important because otherwise who the hell would know what we’re up to? It helps translate the chaos and says it way more eloquently than we ever could (or at least more than I could)
What’s your favorite local music mag?
LB: I don’t really have a favorite music mag, to be honest. I actually try not to keep up with what’s going on in music. But Alt Citizen and Deli Mag are great for when i’m feeling inquisitive. And celebrity gossip magazines. The shittier the better.
LE CHARME / band
Why is music journalism important?
LC: Music journalism is such a rad thing because it really lets the audience take a peek under the cover of musicians and artists around the world. Reading a music publication allows you to strengthen your understanding of your favorite artist, or discover someone new. The ability to facilitate conversations that artists may not be able to have on their own is so important. Music magazines also play a huge part in building a local artist community and elevating social issues.
What’s your favorite local music mag?
LC: Our favorite music magazine has to be The Deli Mag of course! But also, all of the local publications in New York are absolutely incredible. Learning about underground artists, or local musicians would be a lot harder without these journalists lifting them up. We are also super into Pitchfork and The Line Of Best Fit. It’s cool to read about Coachella performances without having to sweat in the desert or finance a ticket. So thank you journalists for braving the heat for us!
footage by The Deli
GUNK / magazine
GUNK is a free, donation-based monthly risograph printed zine created to highlight all of the DIY music shows happenving in NYC each month. Alongside our monthly show listing, we also have different feature articles each month (interviews with local bands, thought pieces by different contributors, etc) as well as an ongoing “DIY America” series that highlights local DIY scenes in different cities across the country (so far featuring Philly, Lehigh Valley, PA, Nashville, Ithaca, and Chicago). GUNK also has an online substack, The Gunkyard, that is also entirely free and publishes multiple newsletters each month to over 2,100 subscribers (and counting!). We have been operating since August of 2023, and since June of 2024 have been partnered with Secret Riso Club on our design and printing end.
Why is music journalism important?
GUNK: Music journalism, aside from physically attending a show or purchasing an artist or band’s merch, is one of the best ways to become involved in your local scene. It is the listener’s chance to commune with the artist. That is a rarity that we can’t afford to lose to large corporations or the fall of publications that once seemed invincible. The outlets may change, but the words, the passion, the message we gather from the music still deserves to be shared.
What’s your favorite local music mag?
GUNK: Have to say GUNK…..support your local DIY music community and get to a gig (find them in our magazine!)
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ALSO APPEARING!!
WATER GUN
footage by The Deli
SAVOIA
footage by The Deli
CAITLIN STARR
footage by The Deli
CATCHER